This is the 63rd in a series of 100 daily posts, a Countdown to College Football. (Sort of.)
It’s not every day that I get to write an intro for this series, but it sure feels like it.
Today’s countdown is quite possibly the greatest introduction I have ever written. I mean, it’s also quite doubtful, but let’s not pretend like intros are my best quality. They’re certainly behind my ability to write the middle parts of things. I’m great at the middle parts.
And the longer I make this intro, the better everything after it will be. In theory, anyway. The things I write — much like Cleveland sports franchises — aren’t all winners.
In today’s attempt, however, we cover an underrated cornerback, a new 10-year war, a future Buckeye rival, and a matchup that may not go that well for that team up north.
If you missed yesterday’s edition, you can find it right here.
Now please join us as we continue our countdown of the 100 greatest Buckeyes of The Ozone era (1996-present).
We will also preview one of the 100 most exciting games on this fall’s college football schedule, and one of the 100 things we’re most looking forward to this fall.
Plus, we’ll preview one of this season’s 100 biggest personnel matchups.
Greatest Buckeyes Of The Ozone Era
#38 Ahmed Plummer, 1995-1999
Ahmed Plummer is one of the most productive Ohio State cornerbacks of all time. And like many others in the discussion, he redshirted as a true freshman. Why did he redshirt? Because he had Shawn Springs, Ty Howard, Antoine Winfield, and Central McClellion ahead of him.
Plummer played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman, but emerged as a starter as a redshirt sophomore in 1997. He tied for the team lead with five interceptions (Gary Berry). He also managed a 30-yard sack against Iowa that season.
As a fourth-year junior in 1998, Plummer finished with 52 tackles — 47 of which were solo. He again led the team in interceptions, this time with four.
In 1999, Plummer was named the team MVP following a season where he had 55 tackles (48 solo) and a team-high five interceptions.
Plummer was a 4-time Academic All-B1G player, a 1999 Academic All-American, a First-Team All-B1G selection in 1999, and one of two captains in 1999 (Matt Keller). He was a first-round selection (No. 24) of the San Francisco 49ers.
Plummer finished with 14 interceptions in his career, which is sixth all-time in school history. His 17 pass breakups in 1998 is still a school record (tied with Bradley Roby, 2012), and his 34 career breakups is second all-time behind Roby’s 36.
Best Games This Fall
#38 Nebraska at Ohio State
Granted, since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, this game hasn’t really ever been close, except for when Ohio State loses. That lone loss came on the road in the lost 2011 season. The Huskers came back to steal a 34-27 victory over the Buckeyes.
Since that game, however, it has not been pretty for Nebraska. Ohio State has wins of 56-14, 62-3, and 63-38 over the last three meetings.
This year, however, there is a new man in Lincoln. Scott Frost has come home, and the Huskers may never be the same again.
But it’s still gonna take some time.
Defensively, Nebraska returns a decent handful of starters, but those starters got run over to the tune of 634 yards of total offense last year by the Buckeyes.
This game is going to be a measuring stick for the Huskers, and both teams will come into it following a bye week.
What We Can’t Wait To See
#38 Mid-Season QB Transfer to Michigan
Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has welcomed in transfer quarterbacks Jake Rudock, Shea Patterson, and last week, Jeff George Jr.
Each of those players transferred before or after a respective season. But this year, I’m wondering if we’re finally going to see a mid-season transfer to Michigan.
After all, this seems to be the only recruiting the Wolverines are doing right now.
I know, it sounds ridiculous, but have you heard of Jim Harbaugh?
He keeps changing the game when it comes to new ways to do things, so why not change the one thing he does best?
No, it won’t help him this year, but if he gets a transfer in October, then next October when Brandon Peters is out for the season with hip dysplasia, the new transfer can step right in.
It’ll be the wave of the future for head coaches who do not have the ability to develop quarterbacks of their own.
Matchup To Watch
#38 Juwann Bushell-Beatty MICH OT vs. Nick Bosa
Juwann Bushell-Beatty had an up-and-down year last season as a junior. He was reported to have had a solid spring, however, which is a positive development for the presumed starter at left tackle for the Wolverines.
Nick Bosa, on the other hand, had an up-and-up year last season as a sophomore. The Big Ten’s reigning Defensive Lineman of the Year is likely embarking on his final season at Ohio State, and he isn’t going to want to leave it with a loss to Michigan.
With Bushell-Beatty trying to protect his quarterback’s blind side, and Bosa trying to make his footsteps heard, this is going to be a matchup to watch on every single snap.
If Bosa wins, I’m not sure how the Buckeyes lose.
